Allan Rock

[Health, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, during the weekend it became clear that the delegates to the Liberal convention support the government's choice of health as one of its key priorities in the coming year. Indeed it confirms we are on the right track with the change to the level of transfers over the coming years making more money available and picking areas of priority for action such as home and community care.

May I also say that the federal government must do its share but the provinces must also choose their priorities wisely. We would hope the provinces would make health their priority so that together we could—

[Health, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, we adopted the recommendation of the National Forum on Health and we established a corresponding level of transfers.

As for home care and community based services, these are truly a key component to solve the issues confronting us in Canada's health care system. Last week I visited the Fleury hospital, in Montreal, and I saw for myself that a number of problems in emergency rooms result from a lack of infrastructures in community based health care services.

We intend to act on this.

[Health, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the convention of the Liberal Party of Canada held this past weekend confirmed this government's wisdom in making health care a priority.

Improving Canada's health care system is truly one of our key priorities, and the delegates obviously shared our view during the weekend.

I hope that my provincial counterparts, including the minister—

[Health, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, we have set at $12.5 billion a year the amount of cash transfers to the provinces based on the recommendation of the National Forum on Health.

The situation was studied for almost two years. They considered all factors and recommended that the transfer be maintained at the level of $12.5 billion a year. We have accepted the recommendation.

Health really is a priority for us and, in the coming years, we will continue to work with the provinces to strengthen the health system across Canada.

[Health, March 23rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, clearly, transfers to the provinces have already been increased. In fact, a few months ago, the Minister of Finance introduced in the House of Commons a bill to increase transfers by $1.5 billion a year.

Over the next five years, this will mean an extra $7 billion available to the provinces for health.

[Health, March 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in what is becoming a pattern the hon. member has her facts wrong.

The so-called delegation to Geneva was headed by the director general of food safety in the health protection branch. Invitations were sent to dozens of Canadian interests to accompany the delegation, including the Consumers' Association of Canada.

The decisions made and votes cast were those only by the officials. In fact there was a motion to prolong the study of rBST. That motion was adopted.

[Victims Of Hepatitis C, March 19th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Justice Krever received documents and heard the testimony of officials of the Department of Health on all the events, at the time.

We have now received Mr. Justice Krever's report. We have accepted the recommendations concerning the department and the ways of assuming our responsibilities.

We are holding discussions with the provincial departments, including the department in Quebec, to set up a compensation plan for victims. We will be announcing it when we are ready.

[Tobacco Legislation, March 18th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member was referring to the Tobacco Act, we certainly do intend to honour our commitment.

Speculation on how we plan to do so is useless. We will act when we are ready.

[Health, March 17th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Oak Ridges has put his finger on an item of crucial importance in our effort to reduce health costs.

The connection between physical activity and health is both direct and dramatic. If over the next five years we could reduce the level of inactivity by 10%, we would save about $5 billion in health care. It is remarkable.

The government has taken action. We are working with dozens of partners to make Canadians more aware of the importance of physical activity. With 50 organizations including the Canadian Medical Association we have produced a booklet of—

[Health, March 11th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in my judgment the interests of that victim and the interests of all Canadians affected by the hepatitis C tragedy are best served by an approach toward compensation involving both levels of government. That has been our objective.

We could have acted by ourselves but we chose not to. We are looking for an agreement with provincial governments and I think we are now close to that agreement. I hope in the weeks ahead to be in a position to announce co-ordinated action between both levels of government to deal with the interests of that victim and others.